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Background: There are very few population-based studies on the prevalence of eczema among older persons Aims: To estimate the prevalence and types of eczema in those aged 65 years or more in the community and to evaluate the effectiveness of community-based interventions for case finding. Methods: In the first stage of this cross-sectional survey, trained health workers of a non-governmental organization surveyed the eligible population and identified persons likely to have eczema. In the second stage, dermatologists examined such persons to ascertain the diagnosis. Statistical analysis was done using Epi Info software version 7. Prevalence of eczema was expressed in percentages. Chi-square test was used for comparing the difference in prevalence of eczema in various age groups and sex. Results: Health workers identified 98 persons as possible cases of eczema after interviewing 385 older persons in the community. Among them 95 persons were examined by dermatologists and 44 were confirmed to have eczema (diagnostic accuracy of health workers = 46.3%).Point prevalence of eczema was 11.4% (44/385). Prevalence was similar in males and females. It was greater (18.2 %) among persons aged 81 years or more. Asteatotic eczema, gravitational eczema and lichen simplex chronicus were the more common types of eczema. Limitations: Possible underestimation of the prevalence rates due to limited medical knowledge of health workers; limited facilities for examination and investigations at the medical camps and home visits. Conclusion: There appears to be a considerable burden of eczema among older persons in the community. A community-based approach involving non-governmental organizations has the potential to identify cases and offer care close to their homes
RESUMEN
Dermatophytes are fungi that infects the skin, hair and nails. They are hyaline septate moulds with more than hundred species described. Of these, 42 species are considered as valid and less than half are associated with human diseases. Dermatophytoses are infections produced by these and are common in tropical and subtropical areas of the country with high humidity.1 We wanted to speciate dermatophytes using phenotypic methods, analyze the risk factors, and study their clinical correlation.METHODSThe study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South India over a period of one year. All newly suspected cases of dermatophytosis attending Dermatology Outpatient Department were selected for the study. Thus, a total of 113 patients were enrolled in the study. Samples from these patients were subjected to direct microscopy and culture was done on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar with antibiotics. Potato dextrose agar was used for enhancement of pigment production. Culture confirmation and speciation were done by tease mount, slide culture and supplemental tests like urease test and hair perforation test. RESULTSThe present study was carried out on 113 clinically diagnosed cases of dermatophytoses. Maximum number of cases occurred in the 11-20 years age group and slight female preponderance was noted. Tinea corporis was the most common type of dermatophytosis, 68 cases (60.2%) followed by mixed type (tinea corporis + tinea cruris) 14 cases (12.4%) and tinea cruris 13 cases (11.5%). Overall positivity by culture was 39% and by direct microscopy 96%. Trichophyton rubrum was the most predominant species - 18 isolates (38.3%) and most of them were isolated from tinea corporis. Trichophyton verrucosum (25.5%) and Trichophyton mentagrophyte (21.3%) were also obtained as major isolates.CONCLUSIONSThis study highlighted that tinea corporis is the commonest clinical type. Trichophyton rubrum is the most predominant species. But we got a fairly good number of Trichophyton verrucosum and Trichophyton mentagrophyte also. Exposure to predisposing factors were present in almost half of the cases. Dermatophytosis is a trivial disease and antifungal agents are the drugs of choice for treatment but identification of predisposing factors and avoidance of these can decrease the incidence of the disease to some extent
RESUMEN
In 2009, the Medical Council of India (MCI) made a certain number of research publications mandatory for the promotion to higher posts of medical teachers. Responding to this, there was a series of workshops on research and scientific writing for faculty members of a medical college. We decided to explore the opinions and perceptions of the participants on the need and relevance of such efforts, using qualitative methods such as focus-group discussions (FGDs) and semi-structured interview. The main themes that emerged from the study were as follows: a) presently, there are several hurdles for research and publication; b) recent attempts to upgrade skills of research methodology and scientific writing are encouraging, but need to be sustained; c) the traditional role of clinician - teacher is being replaced with that of clinician-teacher-researcher. Suggestions for future included - a) combined workshops on research methodology and scientific writing skills, b) continuous institutional support system for research and publication, and c) effective mentorship.